Trump’s China policy: Key questions loom as second term approaches

As U.S. President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his return to office, questions are mounting about the direction of his China policy.

Trump's administration is expected to adopt a more hard-line approach, but its exact shape and limits remain unclear, with key uncertainties surrounding economic strategy and foreign relations, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

A central issue for Trump’s second term is how to balance a tough China policy with domestic economic priorities. Trump’s tariff proposals, including a potential 60% tariff on Chinese goods, could lead to inflation and the loss of access to affordable products from platforms like Temu and Shein. While alternative manufacturing locations, like Indonesia or Vietnam, may ease some of the pressure, Trump's broader tariffs on all countries, including allies, could complicate this approach. His economic decisions could lead to a backlash among American consumers, a challenge that Democrats faced in the past.

Another significant question is the influence of Trump’s business ties in China, particularly through allies like Steve Wynn, who has deep investments in Macao’s casinos, and Elon Musk, whose Tesla operations benefit from favourable policies in China. Trump has shown flexibility in the past, reversing positions on companies like ZTE and Huawei after direct discussions with Chinese leaders, and this could influence future policies.

Furthermore, Trump's broader strategy towards China raises a critical question: Is the U.S. confronting China for ideological reasons or to maintain geopolitical dominance? This distinction could shape U.S. policy on Taiwan. If Washington views Beijing as a strategic rival, it may be less likely to support Taiwan, which Trump has previously criticized for not doing enough to defend itself. Staffing choices, such as selecting figures like Sen. Marco Rubio or Rep. Mike Waltz, could also shape the approach to human rights in China, though Trump himself has praised China’s leadership under Xi Jinping.

In other developments, Chinese authorities recently cracked down on a growing nighttime cycling trend among students, which had turned into a popular but politically sensitive movement. Initially praised by media, the ride from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng eventually grew so large that authorities viewed it as a potential threat to political stability, shutting it down. This response reflects China’s tight control over youth activities, even those that begin as harmless trends.